Populous

Aedas has hung on to second place in the Top 100 for the third year in a row without increasing its architectural staff by many. But with so many practices jostling for the top spot, it can’t afford to rest on its laurels — and it isn’t.

The global practice, which takes its name from the Latin for “to build” has already announced plans to expand its London office from 80 to 250 in the next three to five years, creating an international hub in the city. This builds on 15% growth in its Asian offices in 2010.

Last year saw the addition of a relatively modest single studio, in Riyadh, to the existing 38. But this year there are ambitions to open up in Cairo, Tripoli, Phnom Penh, Istanbul, Toronto and several cities in China and western Europe. This reflects its stated aim of pushing into Cambodia, Indonesia, China, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Libya, western Europe and, for good measure, “all emerging markets”.

Last year the firm made the Sunday Times International Track 100, a league table that lists the UK’s fastest-growing companies in terms of international sales.

Interestingly, Aedas is the only top-four practice not to be earning fee income of more than $400 million — its $180-189 million seeming relatively modest. But it tops the league in terms of expected profits at $20.7 million.

Much of this comes from its work in central Asia, where it is the biggest practice by far, attracting fees of £53.9 million, more than twice as much as second-placed Gensler.

CEO David Roberts says: “Last year gave us the window to re-focus our global business. Taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the growing economies in Asia, as well as enhancing our network in Europe. “In 2011/12, we are also prepared for the return to growth and prosperity in European and north American markets.”